From the arrival of Europeans until the 20th century, Newfoundland was valued mainly for its rich marine resources, especially cod.

More Europeans at the end of the 15th century were engaged in fishing than in any other occupation except farming.

The basic characteristics of the migratory fishery did not change very much in the 300 years of its existence.

The British migratory fishery at Newfoundland reached its height in the 18th century in terms of production, employment, and revenue.

Coming so soon after the massive market collapse of the late 1780s, the Anglo-French wars had a devastating effect on the migratory fishery.

Information about the annual voyage of the migratory fishery, including the fishing process and territory.

Fishermen from Portugal, the Basque provinces of France and Spain, Northern France (perhaps Normandy) and West Country England are known to have frequented eastern Newfoundland during the first half of the 1600s, some as early as the first decade of the 16th century.

The prosperity and collapse of the migratory fishery from the American Revolution to the French Revolution.

Instructions to Walter Sykes, Robert Street, Captain William Pyles and Captain Nicholas Redwood from the Council of State, dated June 16, 1652.

Toward the end of the 18th century, Newfoundland's migratory fishery began to lose importance at a time the resident population was experiencing a sudden increase.

There were no garrisoned fortifications on the Island until France established its colony at Plaisance (Placentia) in 1662.

Information about the islands St. Pierre and Miquelon from their initial discovery by Joas Alvarez Fagundes, to the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.

Extract from 'Journal of a Voyage from Leith to Newfoundland, Barcelona, etc.' by Edward Burd, dated August 11, 1726 to September 16, 1726.

Newfoundland with its adjacent waters was originally viewed as a cod fishery, an important supplement to fisheries carried on in European waters.

Information about Merchants in the Newfoundland trade and how they used politics to protect their interests.

An Account of Fishing and Sack Ships in Ferryland and Caplin Bay

A List of ships Fishing in Ferryland and Caplin Bay, 1675

Account of Fishing Ships at Ferryland and Caplin Bay, 1677

The French fishery at Newfoundland reached its peak in the first half of the 17th century.

The 18th century brought a number of difficulties for the French fisheries at Newfoundland.